Scientists from the laboratory of Neil Segil, Ph.D., have identified a natural barrier to the regeneration of the inner ear’s sensory cells, which are lost in hearing and balance disorders. Overcoming this barrier may be a first step in returning inner ear cells to a newborn-like state that’s primed for regeneration
Webinar Recap: The Present and Future of Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration
On July 12, Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) hosted “The Present and Future of Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration” on Zoom. This webinar was co-presented by 2009-2010 ERG scientist Ronna Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D. of the Hearing Restoration Project, and the consortium’s scientific director, Lisa Goodrich, Ph.D.
Elusive Cell Type in Fish Sensory Organs Discovered
Researchers from the Piotrowski Lab describe their discovery of the occasional occurrence of a pair of cells within post-embryonic and adult neuromasts that are not labeled by lateral line markers. When using a technique called Zebrabow, these cells are labeled a different color than the rest of the neuromast.
Several Novel Findings Describing Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration in Birds
Funding provided by Hearing Health Foundation through the Hearing Restoration Project (HRP) has helped the development of a new research program in the laboratory of Stefan Heller, Ph.D., at Stanford University focusing on chicken hair cell regeneration. Several years after its inception, this research is now bearing fruit.
Study Explains ‘Cocktail Party Effect’ In Hearing Impairment
Commonly known as the “cocktail party effect,” people with hearing loss find it’s especially difficult to understand speech in a noisy environment. New research suggests that this may have less to do with actually discerning sounds. Instead, it may be a processing problem in which two ears blend different sounds together.
Register for Hearing Health Hour Webinar: The Present and Future of Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration
Goodrich and Hertzano will provide a broad overview of the techniques and tools central to the effort—including those developed by HRP scientists—and some of the challenges facing researchers in this endeavor.
Join the Movement: Operation Regrow Begins June 10
We know where to look for clues because hair cell regeneration happens naturally in fish, chickens, and newborn mice! In the next few years, we hope to have a molecular language to explain the phenomenon of regeneration. When you join Operation Regrow, you’ll be part of bringing this to fruition.
Research Calls Attention to Dangerous Noise Levels in Gym
. A new University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) study found that those who attend indoor cycling (spinning) classes do not lower the intensity of their workouts when the volume is reduced to a safer decibel level. The findings were published in the January–March 2021 issue of the journal Noise & Health.
How Beautiful Hearing Loss Research Can Be
Hearing Health Foundation (HHF)’s scientists study sensory cells in various species to better understand how they are damaged and how they can be regenerated to restore human hearing. Here are five of the most breathtaking images from our scientists’ labs showcasing the beauty of the hearing and balance functions.
Spotlight On: Lisa Goodrich, Ph.D., Scientific Director of the Hearing Restoration Project
Lisa Goodrich, Ph.D., became the new scientific director of the HRP in January 2021, having since 2016 served as a member of HHF’s Scientific Advisory Board. Goodrich is a professor of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School whose lab focuses on how neural circuits develop and function.